Differences between 1st and 2nd Gen why/what made you choose it?
- Thread starter soj1057
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Steven94
New member
Probably not a helpful answer, I bought my 2nd gen because I wanted a 4runner and this one was in my price range and looked decent enough. It has a 3.0 and is a good truck, but I have learned a few things to aid my next buy.
1. Even though the 3.0 is a reliable engine, I think next time I will get a 3.4 or a 22RE or something of the like.
2. I will get one with a manual transmission. The convenience of a automatic is nice, but they weigh more and only increase the chance of having a problem.
3. I may never buy anything other than a toyota again. They seam to hold up pretty damn well and when something goes wrong it is relatively cheap to fix. Though when you are fixing them your self it may take a little extra time because they cram everything so tight.
I think the 1st gens look the best, but in my area there are only a handful for sale and the ones in good shape cost more than I can afford.
1. Even though the 3.0 is a reliable engine, I think next time I will get a 3.4 or a 22RE or something of the like.
2. I will get one with a manual transmission. The convenience of a automatic is nice, but they weigh more and only increase the chance of having a problem.
3. I may never buy anything other than a toyota again. They seam to hold up pretty damn well and when something goes wrong it is relatively cheap to fix. Though when you are fixing them your self it may take a little extra time because they cram everything so tight.
I think the 1st gens look the best, but in my area there are only a handful for sale and the ones in good shape cost more than I can afford.
soj1057
New member
I have always had a thing for the 22RE and the 2nd generation 4runner. I am not sure why, it’s purely a looks thing. I waited a long time to acquire the “right” one for me… I will say this though, the more time I spend on this forum the stronger the attraction to 1st gen runners.... So much so that I am thinking about going back a generation…
KidVermicious
New member
The top comes off.
/thread
/thread
soj1057
New member
Hahah seriously? Thats the number one and only reason?
Though.....its looking really attractive this summer.
KidVermicious
New member
Pretty much. I prefer the aesthetic of the 1st gen, but you said not to count that. I like the 22RE and the 5speed, but I could get those in a 2nd gen if I looked hard enough. And there's no denying the advantage of four doors in practically the same wheelbase.
But there is nothing, and I mean nothing, like pulling the top for the summer. I just wish my truck had a sunroof.
soj1057
New member
I keep debating between hunting down a nice 1st gen to swap for my 2nd based on the roof alone..... It seems so awesome to be able to truck around with no top. But , I remind myself that I live in the Pacific North West and then I question my desire...because well hell, we only get like 1 or two months tops with no rain.
KidVermicious
New member
BucknutBob
New member
The 2nd Gen was the first model I took notice of way back when, and I've always liked that body style. I guess I never really took to the truck-with-a-cap look of the 1st Gen, and the benefits of having those extra doors can't be overlooked. I also like the interior of the 2nd Gen over the first--it has a more finished look and feel, the doors don't have that flimsy feel of older trucks, etc.. In the end, it's plain old personal preference, because other than the factory solid axle under the pre-'86 models and the removable top, you can do pretty much all the same things with either. Oh, and I totally agree with the manual over automatic, and I would always go for the V6--it may be wimpy, but not as much as only four cylinders under the hood.
Menel
New member
It was the only one available in 1984.
dubs283
New member
i recently acquired my 2nd gen runner after having sold my 91 accord which was one of the best cars i have ever owned, 300,000 miles and counting with no end in sight
anyways, my wife and i are moving to idaho and i needed a vehicle that could haul a fully packed u-haul, has 4WD, looks nice and runs well
we finally decided on a T4R, and i watched craigs-L for a month til this nice 95 runner V-6, 5sp showed up for a great price - checked it out and we loved it immediatly!
it needed some TLC, standard stuff, no major repairs and i'm a wrench turner for a living so it was no big deal - so now at the end of July we're bound for idaho!
anyways, my wife and i are moving to idaho and i needed a vehicle that could haul a fully packed u-haul, has 4WD, looks nice and runs well
we finally decided on a T4R, and i watched craigs-L for a month til this nice 95 runner V-6, 5sp showed up for a great price - checked it out and we loved it immediatly!
it needed some TLC, standard stuff, no major repairs and i'm a wrench turner for a living so it was no big deal - so now at the end of July we're bound for idaho!
wallytoo
Member
i like only two doors. really.
i don't care about the removable top - i have a cj for that.
5-speed standard and 4 cylinder were a must.
i wanted a daily driver that would be suitable for MY daily driving - i work "in the woods", and frequently need to drive on roads that require clearance and 4wd. although i had a legacy for 14 years, and it served me extremely well, there were places i had to bring the cj to for work. no more. i also wanted a vehicle that not only could be a DD, but also could be registered as an antique in NH, so it had to be 25+ years old. that limited the choice to 1st gen.
the only other consideration, if i couldn't register as an antique, would be 1995 or older (which my subaru was), because those are emissions exempt in NH. that would have worked for both 1st and 2nd gen.
i like the appearance of both styles, but prefer the 1st gen.
the antique registration saves me about $75 per year in fees vs a regular registration for an "older" vehicle.
wally
i don't care about the removable top - i have a cj for that.
5-speed standard and 4 cylinder were a must.
i wanted a daily driver that would be suitable for MY daily driving - i work "in the woods", and frequently need to drive on roads that require clearance and 4wd. although i had a legacy for 14 years, and it served me extremely well, there were places i had to bring the cj to for work. no more. i also wanted a vehicle that not only could be a DD, but also could be registered as an antique in NH, so it had to be 25+ years old. that limited the choice to 1st gen.
the only other consideration, if i couldn't register as an antique, would be 1995 or older (which my subaru was), because those are emissions exempt in NH. that would have worked for both 1st and 2nd gen.
i like the appearance of both styles, but prefer the 1st gen.
the antique registration saves me about $75 per year in fees vs a regular registration for an "older" vehicle.
wally
Quatre Coureur
New member
I've always been a fan of the '84-'88 body style(4RNR+P/U). So when my buddy bought a toy-hauler and needed a full-size truck, he offered it to me. Prior to this I was a Chevy/Jeep guy, but this little '88RNR won me over. My sister had a '93 V6 auto. It was slooow.
BoatRacer
New member
Many reasons I picked the 1st gen, but mostly because I owned one before and enjoy reliving those memories. The top comes off, the square body style, the tin can door closing sound, cramped interior, ignition buzzer that sounds like a cross between the a dying animal and an electronic failure, two doors...ect. I absolutely love the first gen and all of its little quirks, they are what make my commute enjoyable every day and give the truck it's personality that I feel new cars are missing.
thatoneguy
New member
Bought a first gen because:
1. Like Kid said, my damn roof comes off. Several people have thought that was a custom job.
2. Easier to avoid the 3.0 in a 1st gen. Hardly any 4cyl 2nd gens in my area.
3. 2wd model doesn't exist.
4. I like calling it a truck. Rear leaf springs are cooler than coils.
5. It's now the solid axle 4runner it should've been. Stock awesomeness not possible in a 2nd gen.
In reality I bought a 1st gen because i wanted wrangler-like toplessness, without buying a wrangler. I'll tell you now, after close to two years, it's not the same as a topless wrangler. The wrangler is much more open, and I'll own one in the next few years. But hey, as far as off road improvement goes, everything's cheaper here than on a TJ/JK
1. Like Kid said, my damn roof comes off. Several people have thought that was a custom job.
2. Easier to avoid the 3.0 in a 1st gen. Hardly any 4cyl 2nd gens in my area.
3. 2wd model doesn't exist.
4. I like calling it a truck. Rear leaf springs are cooler than coils.
5. It's now the solid axle 4runner it should've been. Stock awesomeness not possible in a 2nd gen.
In reality I bought a 1st gen because i wanted wrangler-like toplessness, without buying a wrangler. I'll tell you now, after close to two years, it's not the same as a topless wrangler. The wrangler is much more open, and I'll own one in the next few years. But hey, as far as off road improvement goes, everything's cheaper here than on a TJ/JK
ToyoTech
New member
1st gen or 3rd gen. 2nd gen has no pros imo
1st gen is unique with the removable top
2nd gen is pretty much a 3rd gen without the 3.4
if your gonna change out the motor in the 2nd gen, get a 3rd gen and be done
3rd gen has a pretty nice suspension and much better aftermarket support
this is just me i wouldnt pick a 2nd gen over a 1st or 3rd gen that's all.
1st gen is unique with the removable top
2nd gen is pretty much a 3rd gen without the 3.4
if your gonna change out the motor in the 2nd gen, get a 3rd gen and be done
3rd gen has a pretty nice suspension and much better aftermarket support
this is just me i wouldnt pick a 2nd gen over a 1st or 3rd gen that's all.
2ndGen4runner4x4
New member
I go to a rural beach and camp/fish a few times a year. I need (prefer) a smaller 4x4 suv that is very capable in the sand.
My original plan was for a 1st gen because of the removable top but they are rare and expensive. My 2nd gen has a sunroof which kinda makes up for the fixed roof. I now have a roof rack that I use quite a bit so it all worked out for me. Good luck!
My original plan was for a 1st gen because of the removable top but they are rare and expensive. My 2nd gen has a sunroof which kinda makes up for the fixed roof. I now have a roof rack that I use quite a bit so it all worked out for me. Good luck!
Last edited:
Footofgod
New member
I bought a 2nd gen, because the day I went car shopping I found for a great price. I was looking for a Cherokee Sport. I've always loved Toyota, and the thought of owning a 4Runner over a Jeep appealed to me. I didn't know anything about the 3.0. Loved it the day I drove it home and I love it to this day.
BURNINGAIR
New member
I wen't first gen for solid axle, 22r, removable top, less body and simplicity..
Chuckles89
New member
According to mpg.gov, a 2nd gen v6 auto gets 12 mpg city and a 1st gen 22re 5- speed gets 20 mpg.
Those are just based on the most common configurations around here.
Those are just based on the most common configurations around here.
